We know who won the 2024 NBA MVP, but now it’s time to evaluate the 2025 season’s candidates to win The Michael Jordan Trophy. Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have combined to win the past four MVP awards, but we have a feeling a newcomer will emerge.
Now that the NBA season is approaching it’s endpoint, these are our frontrunners to vie for The Michael Jordan Trophy, otherwise known as the MVP award, in 2025.
Related: 50 best NBA players of 2025, including Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum
10. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
The only team with two NBA MVP candidates on our list, the Knicks finally have a pair of superstars in Jalen Brunson and Towns. Brunson is the lead dog though, averaging a team-high 26.3 points per game while also dishing out 7.4 assists. He’s been an excellent free agent signing, making two All-Star teams and now forcing his way into the fringes of the MVP conversation.
Related: Top-selling NBA jerseys: See all 30 NBA teams’ best-selling jerseys today
9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The greatest shooter in NBA history is still an MVP candidate, even at the age of 37. Averaging the most 3-point makes per game while shooting at a 39.8% clip, Curry has been rejuvenated by the addition of Jimmy Butler, putting the Warriors back on track to make the playoffs after missing out last postseson.
Related: 2025 NBA schedule
8. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
He bowed out of the All-Star game, but LeBron is still putting up strong numbers, averaging 25 points per game, 8.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per contest. Plus, he’s shooting 38.4% from distance. The Lakers are back to being true contenders in the Western Conference. Yet, he’s likely not coming close to winning an MVP award this year.
Keep up with the latest Lakers rumors and news at LAFB
7. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
After proving that the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Anthony Edwards is motivated to show he can be the face of the NBA. Already one of the top two-way players in the league, Edwards still has to take another big leap to merit this award. Having improved every year, we wouldn’t put it past him to become a more efficient scorer who learns to limit his turnovers, but it hasn’t quite happened yet. However, he has become the NBA’s best 3-point shooter, making more shots from long distances than anyone else in the league.
Follow Minnesota Sports Fan for the latest Minnesota Timberwolves coverage
6. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Even though his individual numbers don’t pop off the page, Donovan Mitchell deserves extra credit for leading the team with the Eastern Conference’s best record. Mitchell can stay in the MVP conversation if the Cavaliers stay in first place all season long but he won’t be winning the award.
Related: 10 must-see games on the 2024-25 NBA schedule
5. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
He’s never been mentioned as an NBA MVP candidate before, but since arriving in the massive media landscape of New York, Karl-Anthony Towns has emerged as an even more popular player. He’s been excellent in his second stint under Tom Thibodeau, averaging 24.2 PPG and 13.3 RPG while shooting a blistering 42.1% from distance. Can he maintain this play when the postseason tips off?
Related: NBA playoff predictions: Bracket picks & 2025 Finals champion
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum can relax a bit now that he got his NBA Championship. But will he ever be in the top three of the NBA’s best players from a production standpoint? Maybe not, especially while working in such a smooth tandem with Jaylen Brown. Odds are Tatum doesn’t care about the MVP hardware, he wants more rings. However, he’ll still be in the mix to win his first MVP.
Related: Who is the oldest NBA player? (All-time and active)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Even though the Bucks haven’t taken a significant step forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still putting up big numbers, averaging 30.7 PPG while having 12.1 rebounds per contest too. Yet, unless the Bucks can get back to being top contenders, the Greek Freak’s chances of winning MVP are slim.
Related: NBA Rookie of the Year 2025 predictions
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
No one puts up numbers like Nikola Jokic. He may not be the league’s top scorer, but Jokic is an incredibly efficient player who has somehow come close to averaging a triple-double each of the past two seasons. With three awards already on his shelf, of course Jokic is a top 2025 NBA MVP candidate again. He’s here thanks to averaging 28.9 PPG, 13 RPG, plus 10.5 APG. Can he average a triple-double all year? Doing so would definitely keep him at the forefront of the MVP conversation.
Related: 10 shortest NBA players ever, including the shortest basketball player in the league today
1. NBA MVP – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took a gigantic leap last season, and so did the Oklahoma City Thunder. SGA is in the top five in scoring for the third consecutive season, but this year, he’s also flirting with multiple career highs, including scoring, assists, and effective field goal percentage. Also averaging 2.9 stocks per game, Gilgeous-Alexander remains one of the best all-around players in the NBA, and now he could win his first MVP award.
